Speech and Language Therapist CIC – Acute and Stroke Wards: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are looking for a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to work across our acute general wards and stroke/neuro-rehabilitation units, providing assessment and intervention for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties. You will manage a varied caseload, with support and supervision from senior Speech and Language Therapists, developing your clinical skills in working with patients with acquired conditions including stroke, neurological disorders, frailty, and acute medical presentations.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), you will contribute to patient assessment, rehabilitation planning, and discharge processes, helping to ensure safe and effective care throughout the patient pathway. You will provide communication and swallowing interventions appropriate to your level of competence, support patients and carers, and work closely with colleagues across the acute and rehabilitation settings.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in dysphagia, stroke, and neuro-rehabilitation within a supportive team. You will receive regular supervision, access to continuing professional development opportunities, and support to build competence and confidence in delivering high-quality Speech and Language Therapy services.

Main duties of the job

To provide assessment, management and treatment to patients with swallowing and/or communication problems within the stroke and acute SLT team with senior support.

To contribute (where appropriate) service audits, quality improvement projects with senior support.

To work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary framework to achieve integrated care for patients.

Regularly attendance and contribution to patient and family meetings, both face to face and via video.

Write high quality patient reports, including discharge reports for inpatients and community patients.

To cover other areas within the wider SLT as and when required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oDegree in Speech and Language Therapy approved by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• oRegistered with HCPC.
• oOn-going membership with the RCSLT.
• oEvidence of formal training/self-study/ specialist experience to post graduate level in dysphagia

Desirable

• Newly Qualified Practictioner RCSLT certification

Knowledge

Essential

• oRCSLT code of conduct and professional standards
• oKnowledge of local and national drivers in stroke and how they relate to SLT practice.
• oKnowledge of RCSLT Clinical guidelines in regards to progressive neurological conditions, dementia, ABI & Stroke
• oKnowledge of swallowing and communication disorders, including Dysarthria, Dysphasia, Dyspraxia, Dysphagia, and Dysphonia.
• oKnowledge of Evidence based and modern therapy techniques with stroke and progressive neurological population.
• oTo demonstrate a breadth of knowledge with decision making underpinned by current evidence

Desirable

• Experience of evidence based rehabilitation approaches
• Videofluoroscopy competencies
• MBSImp training

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• oAbility to carry out and analyse results of various assessments appropriate for different clients, relating to age, disorder, standardisation, etc
• oIT ability, including word processing, presentation skills, ability to access software packages and ability to effectively use telemedicine.
• oNegotiation and problem solving ability, in order to prioritise for assessment and intervention
• oSkills in motivation of clients and/or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
• oHighly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and management within the stroke population
• oWillingness to learn and be a reflective practitioner.
• oExcellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• oExcellent time management, organisational and administration skills.

Desirable

• Experience of service evaluation and redesign

Other requirements

Essential

• oSupport equality and value diversity
• oAbility to maintain concentration in a range of clinical environments and withstand interruptions and unexpected changes to work patterns.
• oAble to travel across North Cumbria to support the stroke service as required by the team lead.

Desirable

• Car driver
• Car owner

Experience

Essential

• oExperience of organising, managing and prioritising a clinical caseload.
• oExperience of working as part of a MDT.
• oExperience of working with other professionals and agencies.
• oExperience of assessment and management of swallowing including experience in using instrumental assessment outcomes to inform therapy.
• oExperience of working with stroke survivors.
• oExperience of working in a fast paced, ward setting.
• oDelivering training to others e.g. carers and other AHPs.
• oGood working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and SLT role in the process.
• oGood working knowledge of prognostic indicators in stroke and how this impacts on SLT care.
• oClinical governance as it affects clinical practice, in line with national and local drivers.
• oGood working knowledge of Feed at Risk issues and the role of SLT in this process.

Closing Date: 30 September 2026